That's what I like to hear, ktalley. You're right about Sam Adams -- their production may be on a larger scale, but the beer is still made with real ingredients and without sacrificing flavor. Thanks for reading!

Thanks for all your responses. For those that like the Noble Pils, you should give the Gordon Biersch Pilsner a try. They're new to the Gulf Coast market, and the pilsner is the only one of their beers that I've had, but it's delicious, especially on a day like today (Beautiful). The six-pack holder says you should never trust a skinny brewer. Words of wisdom, indeed...

I disagree. Have you considered that people who seek out these beers do so for the flavor and quality ingredients used in making them? Questioning their manliness because they choose not to drink fizzy yellow beer is like questioning the guy who'd rather eat at Ruth's Chris than McDonald's. Sure, there will be the "idiot" who's looking for the fastest buzz he can get, even if they hate the taste, but there are plenty of us out there who truly enjoy the flavors that these more exotic beers exhibit.

I didn't have enough room in BW to share a few of my "must-haves" for the fest, but I'd like to add Yazoo's Dos Perros Mexican amber ale (Corner Bar), Sweetwater IPA (Saga) and Back Forty Truck Stop Honey (The Bike Shop).

Skip the standard Mexican beers such as Corona, Tecate and Dos Equis — all of which are just knockoffs of American macro lagers — and try the Yazoo brew instead.

Sweetwater IPA is, in my opinion, the most flavorful pale ale available locally, and I rarely miss the opportunity to try one.

And Truck Stop Honey is definitely the most local choice. It's made with honey from right here in Mobile, and it's brewed right down I-10 in Kiln, Miss.

Have fun, everyone! I wish I could be there to raise a toast with you all.

1cutegrma, if you love Boston Lager, you really need to try it from one of these glasses. It's amazing how much of a difference it makes.
tcarl — I think the only thing remaining from Falstaff is the big tower atop the brewery, which is now condos.
Coarch — That's quite the haul you have! I can't speak for Three Floyds, but I love what I've had from Goose Island.
And hatchetjack — I had no idea that the brewmaster at Nantahala was an AU grad. My wife and I tried a growler of theirs on our honeymoon to the Asheville area and loved it. Did you know that the founder of Oscar Blues in Colorado is also an Auburn grad?

The best explanation is that our state has some very backward laws. And Good People makes a brown ale that will soon be showing up alongside their IPA in cans, but not an amber. Thanks for the comment and enjoy those Colorado beers!

Yeah, I usually refer to myself as a geek more than a snob, merely because I don't want people to think I'll make fun of them for their beer choices. I appreciate all the positive feedback from you guys. Thanks for reading!

That's quite a list they have. Maybe Hopjacks, with their 50 taps, would be up for something similar. As for a genuine Irish pub in Alabama, I can only speak for Mobile, and Callaghan's would probably be the closest thing.

That's quite a list they have. Maybe Hopjacks, with their 50 taps, would be up for something similar. As for a genuine Irish pub in Alabama, I can only speak for Mobile, and Callaghan's would probably be the closest thing.

For the record, I didn't mean to imply that the fight for good beer is over in Alabama. In fact, there are three bills set to go to the Legislature in March, when Alabama's part-time lawmakers convene, and they'll be the focus of a future What's Brewing column. For more information on Alabama's battle for better beer, visit www.freethehops.org.